Reversible top collapsible table



Aug. 2, 1960 s. M. FRIEDENREICH 2,947,588

REVERSIBLE TOP COLLAPSIBLE TABLE Filed Dec. 1a, 1958 v L /0 I 2/ 20 9 0 2/ 2/ Q1 2 r i j 20 I k 7 5 INVENTOR. Z "I ST/INLEYM. FR/EOL'NRHCH 5 5 BY /9v 24 H T TORNEY REVERSIBLE TOP COLLAPSIBLE TABLE Stanley M. Friedenreich, 1300 Park Ave., New Hyde Park, N.Y.

Filed Dec. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 781,232

Claims. (Cl. 311-83) This invention relates to collapsible tables, comprising two U-shaped pivotally coupled leg frame members, having means for reversibly supporting a table top at upper end portions of the frame members, whereby, in one position of the table top, a plain surface is provided and, in the other position of the table top, a surface having a rectangular raised wall portion is provided.

More particularly, the invention deals with a structure of the character described, wherein two of the raised rails of the table top form channels, in which the opposed pairs of rails are movable, the latter rails being fixed to upper portions of the frame members.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a structure of the character described, wherein the rail members have interengaging portions retaining the leg members against collapsing movement when the table top is in one of its positions.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a table made according to my invention, illustrating the table top in one of its positions, with part of the construction broken away.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of one end portion of the table top and part of one of the frame members, illustrating the table top in its secondary position.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the table in extended position, with the table top in the position shown in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing the upper portion only of the framework of the table, with the table and framework in collapsed position.

In practice, I employ two generally similar leg frame members and 11, the frame member 10 being wider than the frame 11 and the upper crosshead portion 12 of the frame 10 being slightly higher than the crosshead portion 13 of the frame 11. The frame members 10 and 11 are tubular in form and are pivoted together, as indicated at 14, and rounded feet 15 are fixed to th lower leg ends of the frame members.

Welded to the frame members 10 and 11, at outer horizontally =alined surfaces, are rails or rods 16 and 17, respectively, which are arranged parallel to each other, as clearly noted in Fig. 3 of the drawing. At 18 is shown the table top which can be composed of any suitable material, or combinations of materials. However, in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the table top 18 is indicated as beingcomposed of plastic by virtue of the plastic section. 1 5

Another pair of rails or rods 19 are arranged adjacent side edge portions of the table top 18, the rods 19 being parallel and having, at their end portions, offset loops 20 terminating in flattened ends 21, which are riveted or otherwise secured to the table top, as indicated at 22. The rails or rods 19 are fixed to the surface 23 of the United States Pat 0 2,947,588 Patented Aug. 2, 1960 table top 18 and this surface will accordingly be defined as the railed surface of the table top; whereas, the opposed surface 24 will be termed the plain surface thereof.

It will clearly appear, from a consideration of Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, that the offset in the loops 20 are sufiiciently deep to form recesses 25, greater in depth than the diameter of the rails or rods 16, 17 so that, when the table top is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, or, in other words,with the surface 23 arranged uppermost, if the members 10 and 11 are grasped by the crossheads 12, 13 and urged toward each other, this urging is checked by the deep recesses 25 against the force which wouldbe generally in the direction of the arrow 26 of Fig. 2 of the drawing.

When the table top is in the position exposing the bordering rails 16, 17 and 19, the table may be used as a service tray upon which glasses or other articles are-arranged and the raised rails 16, 17 and 19 will serve to retain the articles against displacement from the surface 23.

It will also be apparent that, when the table is in its collapsed position, as indicated in part in Fig. 4 of the drawing, the frame 11 will fit partially within the frame 10 and the rails 16 and 17 will be positioned in one pair of the offset loops 20, as clearly noted in said figure.

It will appear, from a consideration of Fig. 4 of the drawing, that, with the parts in the collapsed position, the table top 18 can be swung in a position to expose the plain surface 24 or the railed surface 23 at the top of the table, the rails 16, 17 sliding along the channel formed by spacing of the rails 19 from the surface 23. It will also be apparent that, in storage, the table top 18 can be disposed at either side of the collapsed frame members 10 and 11.

It will clearly appear, from Fig. 3 of the drawing, that the sides of the frame members 10 and 111 are both disposed beyond side edges of the table top to permit free movement of the table top within the frame members. It will also appear, from a consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing, that, when the table top is in the position ex: posing the rails uppermost, it is essential to first raise the table top 18 to clear the rails 16 and 17 from the recesses 25 before the table can be moved into the col= lapsed position.

With the parts in the collapsed position of Fig. 4, or with the table top at the left instead of at the right, as shown in Fig. 4, it will be apparent that the table can be swung into the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. However, in order to expose the rails 19 uppermost, as shown in Fig. 3, it is essential to arrange the rails 16 and 17 between the table top and the rails 19 centrally of the table, with the leg frame members 10 and 11 in collapsed position whereupon, the table top can be rotated, so as to dispose the rails uppermost, it being understood that the central portion of the rails 19 will spring away from the table top in this operation.

Upon completion of the reversal of the table top, the leg members can now be moved to the open position; whereupon, the rails 16 and 17 will drop into the recesses 25, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2. Upon again moving the table top to the position of Fig. 1, the above rotary operation of the table top will be repeated.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A collapsible table, comprising two U-shaped leg frame members, each defined by a pair of legs spaced and joined by a crosshead, means pivoting the legs of said frame members together, upper portions of the frame members inwardly of said crossheads having transverse rails fixed thereto in horizontal alinement, a table top, a pair of rails fixed to and spaced from one surface of the table top adjacent side edge portions thereof,

the rails of each pair "being arranged parallel to each other and the pairs being arranged at right angles to each other, and the second named rails forming channels, in which the first named rails are slidably mounted in exposing-thefirst named rail surface of the/table top or the opposed plain surface thereof :u-pwardly when the table {is in setup condition.

2. A table as defined in claim 1,-Wh61fii11jbQth pairs of rails *are-raisedwithrespect to 'thefirst named surface of :the tabletop when said surface of the table top is disposed upwardly in the setup condition of the table.

3. A table as definedin claim 1, wherein one frame member is widerthan {the other frame member, and the last mentioned frame member is shorter than the wider frame member-to collapse within the wider frame member.

4. A table as defined incla'im 1, wherein the second named rails include at both ends thereof offset loops forming deep recesses, in which the first named rails are'positioned'when the table is in setup condition.

5.. A reversible 'top collapsible table, comprising a table top having a plain surface, the opposed surface of the tabletop having at opposed side portions thereof parallel rails defining channels extending longitudinally of said rails, two leg frame members, one leg frame memberbeing wider and longer-than the other frame Referencesgited in'the fileofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 687,772 Northrup Dec. 3, 1901 1,217,772 Kade ,Feb. 27, 1917 1,973,179 Schwerin et a1. Sept. '11, 1934 2,102,449 Zimmerman Dec. 14, 1937 2,288,737 .Page July 7, 1942 2,462,274 Meyer Feb. '22, .1949 2,666,682 McCormick Ian. 19, 1 954 2,835,544 .Doblgin 'May 20, 1958 

